Avalanche charged with failure to appear in 4-0 loss to Flames

After a tough overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks two days ago, the Colorado Avalanche were looking to get back on track versus the Calgary Flames with what is becoming a staple for them and scoring the game’s first goal. A parade of John Mitchell penalties, however, would stem the tide and give the Flames back-to-back power play opportunities.

Dougie Hamilton would capitalize on the second power play opportunity as he turned an awful Gabriel Landeskog turnover into a 1-0 lead for the Flames just 7:57 into the contest. Despite several scoring chances for each team, the game would head into the second period still sitting at 1-0.

A mostly lifeless third period saw the Avalanche hit three posts and take eight more minutes in penalties, thwarting whatever hopes Colorado had at coming back. The Avs finished the third period with a palty one shot on goal and the Flames would walk away with an easy 4-0 victory.

In a game as lopsided as this one, the play of the game and turning point are the same. Calgary’s first goal would hold up throughout the game and the Avalanche would never seriously threaten Karri Ramo all night.

BY THE NUMBERS

QUOTE OF THE GAME

“We had another very good crowd tonight and we need to be better in our building. We need to dominate in our building and be more dangerous. We have to play better hockey.” -Head Coach Patrick Roy

The loss allows Nashville to put some breathing room between themselves and the Avalanche as the gap now stands at six points. Winnipeg, trailing Colorado for most of the past month, has closed the gap for catching the Avs to just one point.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Avalanche continue a season-high five game homestand as they welcome the visiting Los Angeles Kings on Monday, January 4th. Puck drop is 7:00PM MST.

This Aurora, Colorado native moved to Katy, Texas at a young age but found himself right back at home in 2009 and would begin covering the Avalanche a year later.
Before joining BSN Denver, A.J. had been writing for and briefly managed the popular Avalanche blog, Mile High Hockey. A.J. has been providing detailed practice reports, training camp coverage, and in-depth looks at the Avalanche and their divisional foes since 2010.